Area communities awarded SCDP grants

Three regional communities are among 34 Minnesota cities, townships and counties that are receiving Small Cities Development Program grants for infrastructure and rehabilitation projects. More than $20 million in funding was announced earlier this week by Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan.

The SCDP grants will be administered by the Department of Employment and Economic Development and are part of the Community Development Block Grant Program of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Southwest Minnesota communities to be awarded grants include:

* Jackson, $1,035,000 for owner-occupied housing, rental rehabilitation and public facility improvements.

* Mountain Lake, $759,000 for owner-occupied housing and commercial rehabilitation.

* Slayton, $737,840 for owner-occupied housing, rental and commercial rehabilitation.

Cities and townships with populations of less than 50,000 and counties with population of less than 200,000 can apply for SCDP grants. Eligible projects must meet one of three objectives: benefit people of low and moderate incomes; eliminated slum and blighted conditions; or eliminate and urgent threat to public health or safety.